Vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly

ABSTRACT

A vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly is designed for mounting on a tactical vehicle. The platform assembly includes at least one mounting brace, and at least one access platform carried by the mounting brace. The access platform defines a raised horizontal surface for supporting personnel at an elevated location adjacent a body of the tactical vehicle. A protective wall adjacent the access platform is adapted for residing a spaced distance from the body of the tactical vehicle to protect personnel staged on the access platform.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the ballistics industry, andmore specifically, to a vehicle-mounted personnel access platform withballistic protection.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedbelow. Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way ofexample only, and any reference herein to “the invention” is notintended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or stepsof any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the presentspecification.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises avehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly with ballisticprotection. The platform assembly is adapted for mounting on a tacticalvehicle and includes at least one mounting brace, and at least oneaccess platform carried by the mounting brace. The access platformdefines a raised horizontal surface for supporting personnel at anelevated location adjacent a body of the tactical vehicle. A ballisticwall adjacent the access platform is adapted for residing a spaceddistance from the body of the tactical vehicle to protect personnelstaged on the access platform.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the mounting brace includesan elongated vertical support defining a plurality of vertically-spacedmounting holes. The mounting holes form respective elevation selectionpoints designed to locate the access platform at one of a number ofdifferent elevations.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the mounting brace furtherincludes a horizontal bracket attached to the vertical support at aselected one of the mounting holes.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the mounting brace furtherincludes an angled bracket attached to a distal end of the horizontalbracket and to a selected second one of the mounting holes.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the access platform includesa generally rectangular foot tread having opposing longitudinal frontand back ends, and opposing side ends.

According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one wall standard isattached to the mounting brace, and includes means for holding theballistic wall vertically relative to the tactical vehicle.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the wall standard has asubstantially vertical lower section and an outwardly angled uppersection.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ballistic wall includes agenerally horizontal reinforcing bar attached to a personnel-sidesurface of the ballistic wall. The reinforcing bar extends substantiallyfrom one end of the ballistic wall to an opposite end of the ballisticwall. The term “substantially” as used herein is broadly defined to meangreater than one-half of a distance or an amount.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the means for holding theballistic wall comprises a wall securing edge formed at a top end of thewall standard. The wall securing edge engages the reinforcing bar tovertically hang the ballistic wall adjacent the access platform. Other“means for holding” may comprise, for example, any hardware, hinges,bolts, welding, hooks, braces, brackets, plates, supports, and the like.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ballistic wall ispivotably supported at the wall securing edge of the wall standard.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a personnel passageway isformed between the ballistic wall and the access platform to facilitaterapid deployment of personnel from behind the ballistic wall.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ballistic wall isconstructed of high performance fibers having a tensile strength greaterthan 7 grams/denier.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the ballistic wall isconstructed of a rigid ceramic material.

In another exemplary embodiment, the invention comprises a tacticalvehicle which incorporates a personnel access platform assembly withballistic protection. The term “tactical vehicle” refers broadly hereinto any self-propelled, boosted, or towed military and non-military(e.g., police) conveyance capable of transport by land, sea, or air. Thevehicle may have wheels, tracks, skids, floats, and/or other maneuveringstructure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of exemplary embodiments proceeds in conjunction withthe following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a tactical vehicle incorporating avehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly with ballisticprotection according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is side elevation of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view the platform assembly removed from thevehicle;

FIG. 5 is a threat-side view of the assembly removed from the vehicle;

FIG. 6 is a personnel-side (or protected-side) view of the assemblyremoved from the vehicle;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the assembly removed from the vehicle; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the assembly removed from the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE

The present invention is described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which one or more exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown. Like numbers used herein refer to likeelements throughout. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be operative, enabling, and complete.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention,which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any andall equivalents thereof. Moreover, many embodiments, such asadaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements,will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein andfall within the scope of the present invention.

Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unlessotherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be giventheir broad ordinary and customary meaning not inconsistent with thatapplicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to anyspecific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article“a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item isintended, the term “one”, “single”, or similar language is used. Whenused herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at lease oneof the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list.

For exemplary methods or processes of the invention, the sequence and/orarrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and notrestrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although stepsof various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in asequence or temporal arrangement, the steps of any such processes ormethods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequenceor arrangement, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and arrangements while still falling within thescope of the present invention.

Additionally, any references to advantages, benefits, unexpectedresults, or operability of the present invention are not intended as anaffirmation that the invention has been previously reduced to practiceor that any testing has been performed. Likewise, unless statedotherwise, use of verbs in the past tense (present perfect or preterite)is not intended to indicate or imply that the invention has beenpreviously reduced to practice or that any testing has been performed.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate anexemplary embodiment of a tactical self-propelled motor vehicle “V”incorporating a vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly withballistic protection. The platform assembly is indicated generally atreference numeral 10. The ballistic protection may comprise, forexample, a hard or soft armor ballistic wall 12. In addition to theassembly 10, the tactical vehicle “V” may comprise wheels 14 and avehicle body 15 including side doors and windows, and other generallyconventional parts and assemblies (not shown) including, for example, aheavy duty chassis, suspension, engine, clutch, gears, differential,drive shaft, driveline, drive train, transmission, and axles.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tactical vehicle “V” furthercomprises an elevated personnel deck 16 (or ramp) carried by avehicle-mount frame assembly 18, and defining a substantially flat andcontinuous deck surface for supporting personnel. The elevated deck 16extends from the front to the rear of the vehicle “V”, and may comprisesafety rails 19 and one or more adjustable or pivoted deck sections. Forexample, the front ramp may be designed to pivot and elevate via one ormore hydraulic actuators (not shown). One example of an adjustable frontend ramp system applicable for use in the present vehicle is describedin Applicant's prior issued patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,667. Thecomplete disclosure of this prior patent is incorporated herein byreference.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the present platform assembly 10 comprises aselected arrangement of elevated horizontal access platforms 21, 22.Each access platform 21, 22 may include a generally rectangular foottread having opposing longitudinal front and back ends, and opposingside ends. The access platforms 21, 22 are carried by respective pairsof vertical mounting braces 24, 25, 26, and 27 attached at one side ofthe vehicle “V”; each mounting brace 24-27 comprising a generallyC-shaped elongated support 30 (or “stringer”). In one embodiment, thetop end of each support 30 is bolted to a horizontal I-beam 31 (FIG. 3)fixed to the roof of the vehicle “V” adjacent the personnel deck 16,while the bottom end is bolted to the vehicle chassis. Each mountingbrace 24-27 defines a series of vertically-spaced holes 32, and abracket assembly comprising cooperating horizontal and angled supportbrackets 34 and 35. The horizontal and angled brackets 34, 35 attachdirectly to the vertical support 30 using, for example, removable boltsor pins (not shown) passed through the brackets 34, 35 and into, orthrough, selected mounting holes 32. The angled bracket 35 extends froma distal end of the horizontal bracket 34 to the vertical support 30.Once located on the vertical support 30, a second identical bracketassembly may be attached at an identical elevation to a second mountingbrace 24-27 secured to the vehicle “V”. One or more platforms 21, 22extend between the spaced mounting braces 24-27, and are verticallysupported (at least in part) by the bracket assemblies. The loadcapacity at any point along a platform 21, 22 may be in the range of250-1000 pounds. The elevations of the platforms 21, 22 may be readilymodified in the field by adjusting the location of each horizontalbracket 34 along respective lengths of the vertical supports 30. Theplatforms 21, 22 may rest freely on the horizontal brackets 34, or maybe more securely attached using appropriate hardware, ties, straps,welding, or other means.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the ballistic wall 12 may be locatedadjacent an area of the platforms 21, 22, and spaced-apart from the body15 of the tactical vehicle “V” to form a protected personnel access (orstaging) location. In the present embodiment, the ballistic wall 12 iscarried by a pair of vertical wall standards 41, 42 attached to oppositeends of a single platform 21 using, for example, mounting plates andangled brackets 43A and 43B (See FIG. 8). Each standard 41, 42 maycomprise a substantially vertical lower section 44, an outwardly angledupper section 45, and a perforated reinforcing web 46. The upper section45 is formed at an angle (“a”) of approximately 30 degrees, andcomprises a wall-hanging end edge 48 designed to engage a generallyhorizontal reinforcing bar 49 affixed to a personnel-side surface of theballistic wall 12. The reinforcing bar 49 is located proximate a top ofthe wall 12, and may extend substantially from one end of the wall tothe other. By this exemplary construction, the ballistic wall 12 hangsvertically from the cooperating wall standards 41, 42, and issubstantially spaced from the access platform 21 to form a sizeable zoneof safety sufficient to accommodate one or more individuals, gear, andequipment. As best shown in FIGS. 3, 7, and 8, the unobstructed spacebetween a bottom end of the ballistic wall 12 and a front edge of theaccess platform 21 defines a deployment passageway 50 for convenientlytransferring personnel, gear and equipment to and from the elevatedplatforms 21, 22. Additionally, the ballistic wall 12 may be freelypivotable at the reinforcing bar 49, and readily lifted and removed fromthe wall standards 41, 42 to facilitate more rapid deployment.Alternatively, the ballistic wall 12 may be more securely mounted usingbrackets, braces, and other hardware.

The ballistic wall 12 may be constructed of any suitable hard and/orsoft armor material including, for example, ceramics, Kevlar®, Twaron®,aramid fibers, HDPE, or other high performance fiber having a tensilestrength greater than 7 grams/denier. The platform assembly 10 can beremoved and/or installed on either side or end of the tactical vehicle“V”. In various exemplary implementations, the platform assembly 10 mayprovide a protected staging location for military personnel at heightsof 6-12 feet, and is applicable in law enforcement for police access tobus and perimeter security.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above. Noelement, act, or instruction used in this description should beconstrued as important, necessary, critical, or essential to theinvention unless explicitly described as such. Although only a view ofthe exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications arepossible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departingfrom the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly,all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthis invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover thestructures described herein as performing the recited function and notonly structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus,although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that anail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together,whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment offastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.Unless the exact language “means for” (performing a particular functionor step) is recited in the claims, a construction under §112, 6thparagraph is not intended. Additionally, it is not intended that thescope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined byreading into any claim a limitation found herein that does notexplicitly appear in the claim itself.

1. A vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly, said platformassembly adapted for mounting on a tactical vehicle and comprising: atleast one mounting brace; at least one access platform carried by saidmounting brace and defining a raised horizontal surface for supportingpersonnel at an elevated location adjacent a body of the tacticalvehicle; and a protective wall adjacent said access platform, andadapted for residing a spaced distance from the body of the tacticalvehicle to protect personnel staged on said access platform.
 2. Apersonnel access platform assembly according to claim 1, wherein saidmounting brace comprises an elongated vertical support defining aplurality of vertically-spaced mounting holes, said mounting holesforming respective elevation selection points designed to locate saidaccess platform at one of a number of different elevations.
 3. Apersonnel access platform assembly according to claim 2, wherein saidmounting brace further comprises a horizontal bracket attached to saidvertical support at a selected one of said mounting holes.
 4. Apersonnel access platform assembly according to claim 3, wherein saidmounting brace further comprises an angled bracket attached to a distalend of said horizontal bracket and to a selected second one of saidmounting holes.
 5. A personnel access platform assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said access platform comprises a generally rectangularfoot tread having opposing longitudinal front and back ends, andopposing side ends.
 6. A personnel access platform assembly according toclaim 1, and comprising at least one wall standard attached to saidmounting brace, and comprising means for holding said protective wall.7. A personnel access platform assembly according to claim 6, whereinsaid wall standard comprises a substantially vertical lower section andan outwardly angled upper section.
 8. A personnel access platformassembly according to claim 7, wherein said protective wall comprises agenerally horizontal reinforcing bar attached to a personnel-sidesurface of said protective wall, and extending substantially from oneend of said protective wall to an opposite end of said protective wall.9. A personnel access platform assembly according to claim 8, whereinsaid means for holding said protective wall comprises a wall securingedge formed at a top end of said wall standard, and engaging saidreinforcing bar to vertically hang said protective wall adjacent saidaccess platform.
 10. A personnel access platform assembly according toclaim 9, wherein said protective wall is pivotably supported at the wallsecuring edge of said wall standard.
 11. A personnel access platformassembly according to claim 1, and comprising a deployment passagewayformed between said protective wall and said access platform tofacilitate rapid deployment of personnel from behind said protectivewall.
 12. A personnel access platform assembly according to claim 1,wherein said protective wall comprises high performance fibers having atensile strength greater than 7 grams/denier.
 13. A personnel accessplatform assembly according to claim 1, wherein said protective wallcomprises a rigid ceramic material.
 14. In combination with a tacticalvehicle, a personnel access platform assembly, said platform assemblycomprising: at least one mounting brace attached to said tacticalvehicle; at least one access platform carried by said mounting brace anddefining a raised horizontal surface for supporting personnel at anelevated location adjacent a body of said tactical vehicle; a protectivewall adjacent said access platform, and residing a spaced distance fromthe body of said tactical vehicle to protect personnel staged on saidaccess platform.
 15. A tactical vehicle according to claim 14, whereinsaid mounting brace comprises an elongated vertical support defining aplurality of vertically-spaced mounting holes, said mounting holesforming respective elevation selection points designed to locate saidaccess platform at one of a number of different elevations.
 16. Atactical vehicle according to claim 15, wherein said mounting bracefurther comprises a horizontal bracket attached to said vertical supportat a selected one of said mounting holes, and an angled bracket attachedto a distal end of said horizontal bracket and to a selected second oneof said mounting holes.
 17. A tactical vehicle according to claim 14,and comprising at least one wall standard attached to said mountingbrace for supporting said protective wall relative to said tacticalvehicle, and comprising a substantially vertical lower section and anoutwardly angled upper section.
 18. A tactical vehicle according toclaim 17, and comprising a generally horizontal reinforcing bar attachedto a personnel-side surface of said protective wall.
 19. A tacticalvehicle according to claim 18, and comprising a wall securing edgeformed at a top end of said wall standard, and engaging said reinforcingbar to vertically hang said protective wall adjacent said accessplatform.
 20. A tactical vehicle according to claim 14, and comprising adeployment passageway formed between said protective wall and saidaccess platform to facilitate rapid deployment of personnel from behindsaid protective wall.